Let me preface this post by saying I have a 13 year old son who has Asperger’s Syndrome. This disorder is on the autism spectrum and it has profoundly effected my family for more than a decade. This month is Autism Awareness Month and I am going to write four posts chronicling and sharing our experience. This is the first of those posts. After two girls, I was ready to have a little boy to love on! I had always heard about the whole Daddy’s girl and Mama’s boy thing and boy was it true! These girls of mine were all about their father and I wanted a boy to keep for myself!!
After only 3 hours of labor, Henry Jacob Hutchinson came into this world at almost 10 pounds (and with no drugs I might add!) As soon as we got him home, we knew something was different about our sweet boy. Henry didn’t take to the breast like the girls, but that was okay. We knew some children just cannot breastfeed for whatever reason, so our pediatrician put him on formula. Well, brand after brand and type of formula after the other were a no go.
Why Is My Baby Acting Different?
As we moved from 12 to 18 months and Henry was not walking and was talking at a minimum, we knew something was very different. We just did not have a name for the issue. For us, it was just how Henry was. We took it all in stride and did the best we could with the limited information we could find. We got used to Henry tugging at the neck of his shirt or peeling off his socks almost as soon as we could get them on. To be honest, Henry preferred to wear his older sister’s one piece bathing suit, which was confusing and again, super embarrassing. Many days we just let him be naked because that was the only way he could be comfortable and free from crying. We learned we could not take Henry to the grocery store, Walmart or even the playground. He would put his hands over his ears or eyes and would start to cry that pitiful cry. The light bulb was beginning to go off above my head, but it was just a small flickering at the time.
That all changed when Henry was a little over 2 years and my mom called with news that would change everything. The Today Show had featured a family with a little boy who sounded almost exactly like Henry. Like, to a “T”. This little boy had something called SPD or Sensory Processing Disorder. Here was another term we were completely unfamiliar with but I dove into researching the term. I spent a lot of time at the library and online soaking in as much about SPD as I could.
[tweet “Does your #baby act differently? Know the signs of #sensoryprocessingdisorder #AutismDay2015”]
Sensory processing disorder is a condition where the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Some people with sensory processing disorder are oversensitive to things in their environment. Um, yeah, like bright lights, crowds, the hum of florescent lights or the meat cooler at the grocery store.
If you have a child you may suspect has SPD, in addition to being oversensitive to things, they may show signs of being uncoordinated, will bump into things, are sometimes unable to tell where their limbs are in space, find it difficult to engage in conversation or play. SPD may affect one sense, like their hearing, touch, or taste. Or it may affect multiple senses, like it did with Henry. Also, these kids can be under-responsive to certain things like feeling hot or cold or pain. This was also true with Henry. He would flinch if we tried to hug him, would turn his head if I tried to kiss him, would purse his lips when we tried to introduce new food and was known to hide under covers, tables, beds and anywhere else he felt safe from this world he found so hard to live in. This video, “Sensory Overload Interacting with Autism Project1” from Clinica INteratividade, gives you an idea of what it is like to have SPD:
Sensory processing problems are commonly seen in developmental disorders like autism. Autism? Wasn’t this the thing kids who cannot speak, flap their hands or rock have? Isn’t that what Raymond in The Rain Man had? Surely this was not something Henry could have, right? Or was I just deluding myself? Well, the more I read, the more the puzzle pieces were just beginning to fall into place. So, now what? In the next post, I will talk about the thing we began to pray for; a diagnosis and what that would mean and look like for Henry and the rest of the family. Until then….
Do you have a child with autism or sensory processing disorder or know someone who does? I would love to hear from you!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
April 2, 2015 at 9:19 pmMy kids don’t have this. I think you did a great job staying on top of it until you knew what was wrong and then taking action.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
April 2, 2015 at 9:29 pmMy youngest has sensory issues. He’s not autistic nor does he have ADD/ADHD, but he is in OT and has struggled with speech delays for years.
Marie says
April 4, 2015 at 1:34 pmmy son who is now 13 sounds very much like yours – minus Aspergers diagnosis. Oh, the colic was unbearable. He hated the baby swing. He hated being in the car. He did not hug. ADD, SPD, dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, toe walking. We moved from a cushy job overseas back to the USA to get him the diagnosis, meds, OT, IEP, etc. I will follow your series with great interest. Thanks for sharing!
Laura Funk says
April 2, 2015 at 9:30 pmHe is adorable and this post is fantastic and informative. Love the personal touch
Ashley says
April 2, 2015 at 10:13 pmThank you so much for sharing all this information. I am way too uninformed about sensory processing disorders and this definitely helped bridge the information gap for me!
Jeanine says
April 2, 2015 at 10:16 pmI dont have a child with any of these issues but u do know quite a few. I’m so glad there’s a day to recognize this and bring more awareness!
Lorane says
April 2, 2015 at 10:27 pmIts great you were so attentive and seeked help from early. I pray that Henry will grow up to be a happy and healthy boy. You are a great mom
Debbie Denny says
April 2, 2015 at 10:45 pmMy nephew is autistic. It is sometimes hard to understand a sensory problem.
Catherine S says
April 2, 2015 at 10:52 pmThank you for sharing and bring awareness to SPD. I am glad you were able to find a diagnosis for what was happening with your son.
Amber says
April 2, 2015 at 10:57 pmI can’t imagine how hard it must have been to watch your little guy struggle. I think it’s amazing all the resources available now. I have a 25 yr old cousin with Aspergers, and our family really struggled before he was diagnosed, and even after. I look forward to reading the next installment in Henry’s story!
Rosey says
April 2, 2015 at 11:08 pmI have been reading a gal’s blog outside of yours who is dealing with autism. It took awhile for her to get the prognosis, but now that they did I think things are going so much smoother for her!
mabi says
April 3, 2015 at 12:03 amThanks so much for sharing. You are doing an awesome job with your son. Thank you for continuing to bring awareness.
Ellen C says
April 3, 2015 at 12:07 amI have a daughter with sensory processing issues. She is amazing and very loving on her terms.
Tonya C says
April 3, 2015 at 12:44 amThanks for sharing this. Having the right info to know signs that something is wrong is so important. Your daughter is awesome!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
April 3, 2015 at 1:12 amThank you for sharing your story. My son has been diagnosed with Asberguers.
Chubskulit Rose says
April 3, 2015 at 1:43 amThis is my first time learning about the Sensory processing disorder and thank you for sharing your story with your son. I applaud and admire Moms like you who are very dedicated in taking care a child like Henry.
Pam Stultz says
April 3, 2015 at 1:51 amYou are an amazing mom! Bringing awareness to the signs is so very important, especially to new parents.
AJ @ NutriFitMama says
April 2, 2015 at 11:33 pmI have a child with mild asperger’s and another very high functioning, but with major sensory processing disorder.
Courtney says
April 3, 2015 at 3:56 amVery informative! I think its great that more people are learning about autism and sensory processing disorders. It seems they are becoming more and more common.
touristmeetstraveler says
April 3, 2015 at 4:12 amAlways good to get this checked out, it could always be a possibility!
becca says
April 3, 2015 at 12:43 amYou did an amazing job. I give extra credit to mos with special need kids cause they rock.
Carissa Bonham says
April 3, 2015 at 4:53 amWe know so many kids with autism. Some who seemed different from the beginning and some who seemed neurotypical for a long time and then had a definitive moment when it all changed. I can’t wait for part two of your story.
Elizabeth O. says
April 3, 2015 at 6:27 amNever knew about this disorder before. We really should be aware about all of these…
Roselynn says
April 3, 2015 at 10:05 amI’m so glad there is so much awareness for autism so that parents can learn to identify it early. My mother got me check out when I was little, but I ended up having something entirely different. Still I’m thankful she noticed something was off or else I don’t know if my life would of been the same.
R U S S says
April 3, 2015 at 12:59 pmI have a cousin who has SPD. Her parents were devastated at first. I saw how they were trying to ignore ( meaning they were trying to act like everything’s alright and normal ) the situation knowing that she wasn’t like her brothers, but eventually, her parents started to do their own research and consulted an expert. They’re all coping and things seem to be getting better for them now.
Ashley @irishred02 says
April 3, 2015 at 1:26 pmI have a friend who has a child on the spectrum. I think it is important parents don’t turn a blind eye to issues since the early you discover this the better
April @ Everyday Fitness and Nutrition says
April 3, 2015 at 10:17 amThis is such an interesting story and I can’t wait to read the other posts and learn more. I’ve been reading more lately about sensory processing disorder and it sounds like there are lots of therapies to help children with it.
Amanda Love says
April 3, 2015 at 2:51 pmMy 10 year old is autistic and I found out before my pediatrician did. No one knows your kids like you and when I mentioned that he was different, his doc kept telling me he was ok. I finally got him tested and found out he was.
Kori Tomelden says
April 3, 2015 at 2:59 pmI have a 13 year old daughter on the spectrum so SPD is something we’re very familiar with. I just saw a PSA the other day about early warning signs of autism. It hit hard.
Gabriel says
April 3, 2015 at 12:11 pmI have a couple of different friends (one from high school and two from the army) that have kids that fall in the autism spectrum at different points. It is good to see that so much attention is being brought to the subject now instead of everyone thinking it’s a bunch of little Rainmen running around, like you mentioned.
Lisa Bristol says
April 3, 2015 at 8:14 pmWhen my best friends daughter was born we knew very quickly something was different. She would stare at the lights for hours even at a few days old. She was not diagnosed until she was three as Autistic. Krystina is now 5 and is non verbal.
Censie says
April 3, 2015 at 9:24 pmYou are doing great things by being open about this experience. You will help others!
Chanelle says
April 3, 2015 at 11:19 pmHenry is a very handsome little young man. You and your hubby are very strong and loving individuals. Thank you for sharing your story about SP and Autism.
Shannon Gurnee says
April 5, 2015 at 7:03 amI had never heard of this before. You sound like an amazing mother!
Ann Bacciaglia says
April 5, 2015 at 4:41 pmMy friend has an Autistic daughter. She was diagnosed fairly young and she was able to make changes in her diet that really helped her little one. It can be hard to know what sounds will set her off.
Debi- The Spring Mount 6 Pack says
April 6, 2015 at 2:21 pmIt is so important to see the signs as early as possible. It can make all the difference from what I have seen from friends of mine.
Ashleigh Walls says
April 6, 2015 at 3:37 pmMy son has SPD but not ASD and it took forever to figure out what he had. He is a sensory seeker so everything is 100X more for him, more jumping more pressure more movement. He’s fairly smart but he doesn’t have good control over his core so that is making him have less attention in school. I am so happy to see more people informing others about SPD!
mycraftingworld says
March 3, 2017 at 7:37 amI just can’t image your life at that time. I am thankful your Mother saw that show.
Heather B says
October 24, 2017 at 11:34 amThank you for sharing your story! Mothering can be difficult, and even more difficult when you are doing everything you can do, and then “get the look” from others! Always keep your head up and know you are doing your best! It is time that in our society we build one another up, not knock them down!! You are a wonderful mom!
Rosie says
November 2, 2017 at 2:35 pmI once worked with a dad whose son is autistic. He was about 9 years old and went to special education. He only spoke a few words, would eat only certain foods. He was getting very strong and hard for the dad to be able to control his tantrums, which he sometimes destroyed property, over something like not getting the number of french fries he was supposed to have. It was a full time job for the mom to keep up to it, as he would tear apart pillows, etc. They had to put a full fence around the yard as more than once they needed police help to fetch him while running off. This boy was very loved by his family, and they were willing to do everything they had to to help him, I don’t know how they are doing now.